Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3803 A dilapidated city is on the verge of collapse, and a ant hole in people's hearts can cause a long dike to crumble.

Ye City is like a miniature feudal dynasty.

The collapse of a feudal dynasty is rarely due to direct overthrow by external enemies or the common people. More often, it is caused by internal corruption and factional strife, leading to the rusting of the state apparatus, administrative inefficiency, and intensified social contradictions, thus causing it to disintegrate from within under immense internal and external pressure. In this process, it is not that the emperors were not intelligent or hardworking, but rather that they were trapped in the enormous structural dilemma of the feudal bureaucratic system upon which they depended for survival.

The autumn wind swirled fallen leaves, which then tumbled and slammed against the flagpole at the gate of the military camp in the north of Ye City. The Cao family's banner, which originally represented majesty, now appeared somewhat disheveled in the wind.

Chen Qun stood on a high platform in the military camp, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His gaze swept over the soldiers from Jizhou on the training ground, who appeared obedient but whose eyes were actually darting around.

He needs a sword now too.

Last night, two more team leaders, both from Jizhou, were dealt with for privately gathering and spreading rumors.

During the execution, he clearly saw many soldiers bow their heads, and he also saw their clenched teeth and tightly knit fists...

This made Chen Qun very uneasy.

This is not a matter of Chen Qun's personal wisdom.

Why is suppressing the people effective?

Why are anti-corruption and anti-Party struggles ineffective?
The effectiveness of repression stems from the one-way nature of feudal power, while the failure of anti-corruption efforts exposes fundamental flaws in the system's design. Rulers can use violence relatively effectively to address challenges from the lower classes, but they struggle to employ institutional tools to combat corruption within the system.

Suppressing the people is an "instinct" of the feudal dynasty's power system, while curbing internal corruption and factional strife is about fighting against the "logic" and "dynamics" of the system's own operation. It's like a person can repel external attacks, but it's difficult to eliminate cancer cells from their own body.

The people of Nancheng were scattered, lacked organization, and were at a significant disadvantage in terms of economy, military, and information.

For these residents of Nancheng, Chen Qun controlled the violent institutions—the army, prisons, and the criminal law—and could easily launch precise strikes against individuals or small groups.

Repression is one-way and unequal.

Moreover, the technology is extremely mature, and there are already many successful cases to learn from, so there is no need for complex institutional design.

Whether it's the Baojia system, the collective punishment system, household registration management, or direct military violence and suppression, these methods are all simple, brutal, and effective...

However, the problems Chen Qun faced in the northern city were not something he didn't want to deal with; rather, the structural difficulties of the entire system made them difficult to eradicate. The anti-corruption issue was not something Chen Qun wanted to solve, nor could he. Even just considering the power struggle between the Yuzhou and Jizhou factions in Ye City, he was currently overwhelmed.

This is not a problem with Chen Qun, but rather a "structural product" of the political system that has continued from Yuan Shao, through Cao Cao, and up to Cao Pi.

To consolidate their power, rulers are most afraid of seeing their subordinates become a monolithic entity, rendering them powerless. Therefore, rulers often intentionally or unintentionally indulge or even encourage factional strife, allowing their subordinates to attack and restrain each other. In this way, the ruler can remain high above and act as the final arbitrator, preventing power from falling into the wrong hands.

This is part of the core of "The Art of Emperorship".

Therefore, the factional strife in Ye City was not just a matter of a few individuals, but involved the entire Yu Province, Ji Province, and a vast network of relationships including protégés, former officials, fellow townsmen, and in-laws.

No matter which faction is targeted, it often affects the very foundation of the regime!

Under normal circumstances, Chen Qun could slowly make adjustments and carefully consider the situation, replacing the completely rotten parts with the less rotten ones, thus prolonging the time. But now, things are tricky...

A series of hurried footsteps came from behind. It was Chen Qun's confidant, Chen Ke, a fellow townsman from Yingchuan. He lowered his voice, his expression grave, "My lord, we just intercepted..."

He handed her a crossbow bolt with a small silk scroll attached to it. "It was shot in from the west side of the city..."

Chen Qun frowned, took it, glanced at it a few times, and then immediately tore it up.

Now, the arrows and messages shot in from outside the city are no longer empty pleas for surrender, but precise thorns piercing the nerves within Ye City.

Chen Qun suddenly realized that Ren Jun's death was very wrong.

He acquiesced to Cao Pi's decision, which led to Ren Jun's death. Ren Jun's death meant that Chen Qun had to fill Ren Jun's original position in the army, ultimately leaving him unable to attend to multiple tasks.

In retrospect, what seemed like an insignificant compromise at the time was actually like a small breach in a dam, and now, under the impact of the Flying Cavalry's north-south offensive, the breach is widening.

"Strengthen patrols! Confiscate and burn all cavalry archery manuals!" Chen Qun's voice was somewhat hoarse. "Also... dispatch an additional squad of soldiers to patrol the north of the city specifically... to protect the families of military academy students..."

When Chen Qun said the word "protect," he emphasized it. Chen Ke immediately understood and was about to turn and leave when he heard a commotion coming from the south of the city on the wind...

Chen Ke listened intently and whispered, "My lord...it seems there's some unrest again in the southern part of the city..."

Chen Qun's face darkened.

He strode back to the central command tent and unfurled the map of Ye City's markets.

Soon, soldiers on duty came to report that this riot in the south city was different from the previous two aimless lootings of grain; the targets seemed to be concentrated on the workshops and outposts.

And the most crucial issue...

"The timing is so coincidental..." Chen Qun murmured, his ominous premonition growing stronger.

Chen Qun then specifically ordered a military officer from Yuzhou to "send word to Commander Wang to lead his troops to quell the unrest. Act swiftly, and prevent the riots from spreading!"

Chen Ke loudly accepted the order and withdrew.

Sending an officer from Yuzhou to the east and a military officer from Yingchuan to the west, the number of reliable soldiers at their disposal is dwindling.

Chen Qun stepped out of the tent to get some fresh air, but saw several soldiers from Jizhou huddled together and talking in hushed tones not far away. When they saw him come out, they immediately dispersed, their eyes filled with aloofness and a hint of barely perceptible resentment.

He had seen that look on the faces of many officials from Jizhou.

When Cao Cao pacified Hebei, in order to stabilize the situation, he appointed a large number of young men from Yingchuan and Qiaopei to occupy key positions. Although the gentry of Ji Province outwardly submitted, how could they not have resentment in their hearts?
At that time, Chen Qun didn't care at all.

At that moment, however, he felt a chill run down his spine and vaguely regretted not having treated his subordinates from Jizhou better.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Prime Minister's residence was equally oppressive.

On Cao Pi's desk lay piles of urgent documents from various parties.

There were reports of burning granaries, secret reports of suspicious behavior by a general from Jizhou, and statistics on casualties from the Nancheng riots...

He irritably pushed aside a scroll of bamboo slips, which rolled to the ground. The unfolded portion contained a line from the Zuo Zhuan: "When a state prospers, it treats its people as if they were wounded; this is its blessing. When it perishes, it treats its people like dirt; this is its calamity."

As night deepened, various forces surged within and outside Ye City in the darkness.

Cao Pi and Chen Qun, the two pillars of Ye City, have been separated by invisible suspicion and the pressure of reality.

But in the corners they couldn't see, the breaches were multiplying and growing larger.

……

……

Inside a secluded barracks in the northern part of Ye City, the air was heavy and oppressive, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds.

Cui Hu sat alone on the edge of a bed that was simply covered with straw.

He was originally the Commandant of Ye City. Now he is under house arrest here. Although he is not in shackles, the heavy footsteps of the patrolmen outside the door are like an invisible cage.

He was not an important member of the Cui family; he was merely a member of a collateral branch.

Or rather, they came from humble backgrounds.

His military robe had been removed, and he had been put into a set of ordinary soldier's clothes. This light and flimsy fabric made him feel more humiliated and cold than any armor.

Outside the window was the training ground where his men used to practice.

Now he can only glimpse a corner of the gray sky through a narrow window.

What's going on here?
Why is that?
Cui Hu stroked an old leather scabbard in front of him.

The scabbard was empty. Cao had issued a ring-pommel sword, and his official seal had been confiscated.

Looking at the empty scabbard before him stirred up memories of another sword buried deep in his heart.

A knife that had been damaged in battle, a knife that belonged to the young him, a knife that was the first time he had seen blood, and the first time it had witnessed his martial prowess.

That was in his hometown of Boling, where he had just turned 18 and was full of vigor.

The teacher in the clan school held up "Discourses on Salt and Iron" and recounted the wars between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, emphasizing the superiority of Chinese clothing and etiquette over those of the nomadic tribes beyond the Great Wall.

Young Cui Hu was deeply moved!
He returned home, touched the ring-pommel sword his father had given him, a symbol of his coming of age, and made a vow—

We must rely on the sword in our hands and the strategies in our hearts to uphold the Han Dynasty, which, though flawed, is still the legitimate dynasty of the world, to sweep away the dust and restore its glory!

At that time, he believed that personal courage and intelligence were enough to make a name for oneself in the world and change everything that could be changed.

This great Han Dynasty, though it has its shortcomings, is no perfect, especially a country as large as the Han Dynasty. As long as it is ruled by men, there will naturally be imperfections and all sorts of dirty things. But compared to other barbarian lands, isn't the Han Dynasty already much better?

The Xiongnu were driven away! How magnificent!

The Discourses on Salt and Iron, the White Tiger Treatise—how wonderful!

The scriptures are passed down, and the vast land is magnificent!

He believed that with his knowledge, martial prowess, and skills, he could change the corrupt practices of the Han Dynasty, uphold justice, and transform the nation!
He believes it!
However, reality soon dealt him a heavy blow.

Then, a heavy second blow...

Three strikes...

I've lost count of how many hits this is...

His surname was Cui, but he came from a poor family in a remote area. He joined the army and started from the bottom. With his bravery and some strategy, he made great contributions in the battle to wipe out the remnants of the Black Mountain bandits.

He thought he could be promoted based on his military merits, but he found that a member of the Yuan family in the same camp, who had not made any contributions, had easily climbed above him because of his family's protection.

He was indignant but not discouraged, believing that this was just an isolated case and that as long as he worked hard enough and made greater contributions, he would eventually be appreciated.

He went to Youzhou again, braving the wind and frost, to wipe out the roaming barbarian cavalry, and his body was covered in scars...

He returned to the county to suppress local tyrants, reorganized the military, and trained soldiers who were considered elite...

Each time, he thought his efforts would be recognized, but every time the promotion documents came down, it was always someone else who got promoted.

First the Yuan family, then the Cao and Xiahou families.

He had already sensed something was wrong, but he still held onto a sliver of hope.

He returned to Ye City...

As a result, he is now under house arrest.

He gradually came to understand. In this system, an individual's ability and the blood and sweat they shed were far less important than a prestigious family name, a prestigious local reputation, or a close relationship with the core of power.

The selection of officials was based on family lineage and social standing, and virtue and integrity became merely a facade.

His once proud identity as a collateral branch of the Boling Cui clan seemed so insignificant in the face of truly top-tier aristocratic families.

Although Cao Cao claimed to appoint people based solely on their talent, did he ever truly open his inner circle completely to the Hebei gentry?

Cui Hu fought his way through half his life, but in the end, in the eyes of Cao Pi and Chen Qun, he was probably still just a "useful person" rather than a "trusted minister." If they had even the slightest doubt, they would immediately dismiss him and place him under house arrest.

When the cavalry attacked, he devoted himself to defending the city, patrolling day and night, arranging affairs on the north wall, and even eating, drinking and sleeping on the wall, without ever leaving it!
But the result?

A few divisive folk songs from the cavalry commander, a few wisps of enticing smoke, and his Cui surname became his original sin.

A single order stripped him of his military power!

They euphemistically called it "temporarily avoiding suspicion while awaiting verification!"
What are we checking?
Verify whether the scars on his body, left from fighting for the Cao family, are real or fake.

To verify whether the sons he trained, who are now fighting bloody battles on the city walls, are loyal.

Was it because he didn't work hard enough, didn't strive hard enough, and didn't contribute enough to this great man?
A flame, a mixture of despair, anger, and years of pent-up frustration, slowly rose within him...

The grand ambitions of youth to change the world have long been worn down by reality, leaving only cold fragments.

Now, he can't even control his own destiny, like a chess piece that can be discarded at any time.

Since the Han Dynasty and the Cao family could not give him justice, or even the most basic trust, why should he be buried alive with them?

Whether a country or a system is strong or weak, good or bad, is not determined by announcements or the words of rulers, but by the people at the bottom of society, those who bear the heavy burden of life and family responsibilities.

Those who live a life of ease, sheltered in a greenhouse, cannot comprehend the suffering of weeds under the storm, nor do they know that with each frost and snow, plants wither and silently depart from this world.

Cui Hu is no longer young, and he no longer has time to wait for any 'change'.

When Yuan Shao came, he said he would change things, but what did he actually change?
He once advised Yuan Shao that Cao Cao's method of promoting people from humble backgrounds and developing military farms was excellent, and hoped that Yuan Shao would adopt it...

But what did Yuan Shao do?
Yuan Shao hung banners and painted the streets throughout the city just to change the color to conform to the "Five Virtues"!
Cui Hu submitted another memorial urging them to do something practical, but this only resulted in demotion, reprimands, and even insults.

"You eat the Yuan family's food, yet you complain about this and that, speaking sarcastically and mockingly! What are your intentions?! If you think the Cao family is better, you can go there! We won't stop you! None of us will stop you!"

He didn't "leave," but Cao Cao arrived...

Cao Cao also said he wanted to make changes, and he did take some steps, such as the "Imperial Examination," although it was only held once.

But after all, it was done once.

This gave Cui Hu some new hope. He submitted another memorial, saying that Fei Qian in Guanzhong had implemented many good measures, not only the imperial examination system, but also those for artisans and agricultural officials, and hoped that Cao Cao would adopt and implement them.

And then, nothing came of it.

Cui Hu couldn't resist and submitted another memorial after some time.

Then the feedback came in—

"You're holding Cao's bowl, then going around criticizing this and that! You think you're so great! If you think Shandong is bad, why don't you go to Guanzhong?"

Then someone brought up old grievances, saying that when Yuan Shao was in power, Cui Hu was also "full of complaints and grievances," and so on. The newly appointed superior then "suddenly realized" and publicly stated that others should not get too close to Cui Hu to avoid being infected by his "complaints" and lest they "break their hearts." He also subtly probed Cui Hu in meetings large and small from time to time, indicating that Cao Cao's current system was already the best in the world and had reached its peak. He then repeatedly stated that if anyone was still not satisfied, they could leave!
Go back to Guanzhong!

"Go wherever you want! We won't keep you!"

The man spoke with a strong, assertive voice, 'representing' 'us,' gesturing wildly in front of Cui Hu.

Therefore, when others asked Cui Hu for his "opinions" or "suggestions," they could "boldly" speak up and "confidently." Cui Hu would either shake his head or remain silent.

The person left very happy and satisfied.

The superior, relieved that he no longer heard any complaints, grumbles, or sarcasm, wore a happy smile, indicating that under his leadership, he had successfully brought a troublemaker like Cui Hu back to the right path of the Han Dynasty.

As for the people of the southern city...

As for the rank-and-file soldiers...

As for the new policies in Guanzhong...

Cui Hu never mentioned these issues again.

Cui Hu finally understood that he alone could not change the Han Dynasty system, nor could he change the fate of the nation...

The only thing he can change now is his own life or death.

Outside the room, some of those guarding him were soldiers from Yuzhou, but others were old acquaintances from Jizhou.

In the past, he had taken good care of these fellow villagers, and now, this bond of kinship became a loophole he could exploit.

He secretly observed and identified several junior officers and veterans who usually respected him and were also dissatisfied with their current situation.

Taking advantage of brief breaks while delivering meals or patrolling, he used the most cryptic language to convey information, trying his best to save himself. This time, he was truly going to "get it over with"...

Meanwhile, the atmosphere was equally tense in the central command tent where Chen Qun was in charge.

He received a tip from a trusted confidant that Cui Hu, who was under house arrest, seemed somewhat "restless" and had secret connections with the outside world.

Chen Qun rubbed his throbbing temples; he had expected this to happen sooner or later.

The discontent of the Jizhou faction was like magma flowing underground; his previous suppression had only temporarily sealed off the outlet.

"Increase manpower to closely monitor the Cui family and anyone they may be in contact with. Any unusual activity... kill them without exception."

Chen Qun's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

He knew this was like drinking poison to quench thirst, but in Ye City, a volcano about to erupt, he could only plug the most obvious cracks first.

However, Chen Qun's reaction was still a beat too slow.

Or rather, he underestimated the energy and resolve that can erupt from someone driven to the brink and who has abandoned all illusions.